Separator and classifier



Dec. 9, 1924- S. H. BOYLAN SEPARATOR AND CLASSIFIER Filed Dec. '1, 1925S'Sheet's-Sheet 41 Dec. 9, 1924.- 1,519,019

' s. H. BOYLAN SEPARA'IOR AND CLAS SIFIER a i hm 1 3144mm 'hmiMit mmPatented Dec. 9, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.'

.SAMUEL H. BOYLAN, 0F JOPLIN, MISSOURI, ASSIGNO'R TO THE ORE BECLAMATIONCOMPANY, OF BAXTER SPRINGS, KANSAS, A CORPORATION OF KANSAS.

SEPARATOR AND CLASSIFIER.

Application filed December T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL H. BoYLAN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Joplin, in the county of Jasper and State of Missouri, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in SeparatorsandClassifiers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to separators and classifiers for use in thetreatment of crushed ore bearing rock, and more particularly to aseparator or classifier particularly adapted for use in connection withore bearing rock containing colloids or colloidal slimes.

It is well known in the art that the presence of colloidal matter in orebodies renders the separation of the mineral portion from the ganguevery difficult and the colloidal matter must be largely dissolved andeliminated before any reasonable classification can be accomplished.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a compact machinecomprising a practical separator for eliminating the colloidal slimes ina series of operations, simul taneously classifying the resultantproducts. This result is preferably accomplished by directing the pulpof crushed rock and water into a receptacle provided with an overflow atthe top for the bulk of the water fines and slimes, said receptaclebeing provided with an automatically operated valve at the bottom forthe discharge of coarse material and being further provided with aperforated ring for the introduction of clear hydraulic water thatforces its way upwardly through the receptacle to facilitate the removalof the slimes and colloids in the overflow. The coarse material passesthrough the automatic valve at the bottom of the receptacle into a tankbath to remove any colloidal slimes that may adhere to the coarseparticles.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a classifyingreceptacle of efficient construction in which the feed material entersthe receptacle at one of the shorter sides supported on a pivot fixed toa stationary frame where the bed of the mate rial is most shallow. Thematerial flows the length of the material bed, emptying at the overflowon the opposite side which is automatically raised and lowered by theweight of the material within the receptacle.

A further object of the invention is the 1, 1923. Serial No. 678,070.

provision of a novel construction for the in: troduction of upwardlymoving water within the downwardly moving bedded materialin theclassifying receptacle, the supply of water being automaticallydecreased or increased in amount as required to keep the fines andcolloidal slimes in suspension.

A further object of the invention is the provision of improved means'forwashing the coarse material after it is discharged from the classifierto remove any fines or colloidal slimes that may adhere thereto.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown one embodiment of theinvention. In this showing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation,

Figure 2 is a central vertical longitudina sectional view,

Figure 3 is an end elevation,

Figure 4 is avertical sectional View on line $41; of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view on line 55 of Figure 1, and, I

Figure 6 is a detail view of a portion of the water feeding mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral 1 designates the frameof themachine consisting of suitable uprights connected to each other attheir upper ends by means of longitudinal members 2... The classifyingreceptacle consists of a fl'llStI'O-COIllr cal shaped tank or container3, one end of which is PlXOfGCl in the frame, as at A suspension rod 5is connected to the sides of the tank adjacent the opposite end and thissuspension rod is supported by a pivoted lever 6. The lever is providedwith a fulcrum 7, carried by the frame. Theopposite end of the leverextends beyond the frame and is adapted to receive a. counter weight 8,to balance the receptacle of the classifier and regulate the tippingmovement thereof. A connecting rod 9 is secured to the lever 6. Asshown, the lever is provided with a plurality of openings 10 topermitchange of position of the connecting rod. The lower end of theconnecting rod is connected to a discharge valve lever 11 which ispivoted, as at 12, on an arm or bracket 13, carried by the bottom of thereceptacle. As shown, the receptacle is provided with a closure plate1.4 at the bottom having an opening therein and this opening is providedwith a valve seat. The discharge valve level: 11 carries a pin 16 and ahollow conical shaped valve 17 is loosely mounted on this pin and isadapted to engage the valve seat 15.

The water supply to the classifier is dc livered through a pipe orflexible hose 18 to a valve 19'. An outlet pipe 20 is connected to thisvalve and extends into the receptacle. The inner end of this pipe isformed in a ring 21- and provided with a plurality of perforations Thevalve 19 is provided with an operating lever 23 and a verticallyextending arm 24: is connected to this lever. The opposite end of thearm is connected to a substantially horizontal lever 25 which is pivotedat 26 to an arm or bracket 27 carried by the frame. The other end of thelever is connected to the receptacle, as at 28, to regulate the supplyof water by the angular position of the re cep'tacle. A tank 29 isarranged beneath the receptacle 3. The tank is mounted on a shaft 30 topermit it to be tilted to any desired angle. Standards 31 are arrangedadjacent the discharge end of the tank and these standards are providedwith slots 32. The tank is provided with side bars 33 extending beyondthe outlet end and an adjusting member 34- is secured to the side barsand arranged within the slots to permit regulation of the height of thedischarge end. Sprocket wheels 35- are arranged on suitable shaftsWithin the tank and an endless chain 36 passes over these :sprocketwheels. Blades 37 are arranged at suitable intervals on the chain. Thewall at the inlet end of the tank is formed of a plurality of removablebars 38, by means of which the height of the body of water within thetank may be regulated.

In operation, the crushed ores are fed to the classifier at the forwardend and fiow over the inclined bottom forming bed. The heavier, coarseparticles settle to the bottom in the usual manner and the fines andcolloidal slimes form on the top of the bed. The fines and colloidalslimes are keptin a state of suspension by the water, entering theclassifier through the perforated ring 21. The heavy coarse material inthe classifier tends to swing the classifier about its pivot in aclockwise direction and when the Weight of the nrfaterial is sufiicientto raise the counter weight 8, the lever 6 is swung on its pivot,opening the valve 17 through the connecting rod 9 and the valvedischarge lever 11. This permits the coarse particles to fall into thedewatering tank. The lever 25, being connected to theclassifier andpivoted on the frame, is moved by the movement of the'classifier toregulate the supply of water to the perforated ring.

I have found that where ores containing colloids or colloidal slimes arepassed through a classifier, the slimes are not entirely removed, andthe tie-watering tank is employed for-thepurposesof washing the coarseparticles of the ore and removing the colloidal slimes that still adhereto the coarse particles after they have passed through the classifier.The ore iscarried upwardly on the chain 36 by the blades37 and washedand cleaned before delivery from the dewatering tank.

The colloidal slimes and. other fines removed in the classifier overflowat the top and are conveyed to a launder or other apparatus for furthertreatment. Similarly, the fines and colloidal slimes overflowing thewall formed by the removable bars 38 are conveyed to a launder. Thedewatering tank is supplied with water fromthe classifier and' ifnecessary, additional water may be supplied from any desired source.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and thatvarious changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the subjoined claims.

I claim 1. In an ore classifier, a frame, an inverted frustro-conicalshaped receptacle pivotally connected at its top to one end of saidframe, a lever pivoted on-said frame and connected to said receptacle ata point remote from the pivot of the receptacle, a counter weightcarried by said lever, valve arranged in the bottom of said re'-ceptacle, connections between said valve and said lever, means fordelivering water to said receptacle, and means controlled by theposition of said receptacle to regulate the flow of water through saiddelivering means.

2.5111 an ore classifier, a frame,- an verted frustro-conical shapedreceptacle pivotally connected at its top to one end of said frame, alever pivoted on said frame and connected to said receptacle at a pointremote from the pivot of the receptacle, a counter weight carried bysaid lever, a. valve arranged in the bottom of said re ceptacl'e, adischarge lever pivotally mounted on said receptacle and connected tosaid valve, a rod connecting said discharge'lever to said firstmentioned lever, means for delivering water to said receptacle, andmeans controlled by the position of said receptacle to "regulate theflow of water through said delivering means.

3. In an ore classifier, a frame. an inverted frustro-conical shapedreceptacle pivotally connected at its top to one end of said frame, alever pivoted on said frame and connected to said receptacle at a pointremote from the pivot of the receptacle, a counter weight carried bysaid lever, a valve arranged in the bottom of said receptacleQadischarge its lever p-ivotally mounted on said receptacle and connectedto said valve, a rod connecting said discharge lever to said firstmentioned lever, a perforated ring arranged in said receptacle andconnected to a supply of Water, a valve arranged in said connection, andcontrol means for said valve connected to said receptacle to regulatethe flow of Water by the position of said receptacle.

4. I11 an ore classifier, a frame, an inverted frustro-conical shapedreceptacle pivotally connected at its top to one end of said frame, alever pivoted on said frame and connected to said receptacle at a pointremote from the pivot of the receptacle, a counter Weight carried bysaid lever, a valve arranged in the bottom of said receptacle, adischarge lever pivotally mounted on said receptacle and connected tosaid valve, a rod connecting said discharge lever to said firstmentioned lever, a perforated ring arranged in said receptacle andconnected to a supply of Water, a valve arranged in said connection, avalve operating lever connected thereto, a lever pivotally mounted onsaid frame and connected to said receptacle, and connections betweensaid lever and said valve operating lever.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signa ture in presence of twoWitnesses.

SAMUEL H. BOYLAN. Witnesses:

EUNIOE H. PLUMNER, GERTRUDE MITCHELL.

